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More than 1,000 turn out for Bloody Knox Fall Fest
Monday, October 15, 2012
By Jane Elling Correspondent
KELLYTOWN - Yesterday was a fun and interesting day for the more than 1,000 people who came to Bloody Knox in Kellytown where there were events all afternoon in which to take part. Volunteers from the Clearfield County Historical Society planned and prepared the Eighth Annual Apple Cider Outing and Open House.
The kids began their day with the 100 free pumpkins to decorate and everyone could tour the grounds and help with making apple cider on the 1890s press, watch butter being churned or see apple butter being prepared. The best part was enjoying the samples. There was free food to eat and hot dogs and maple syrup to buy along with other items at the sales table or visitors are invited to watch rope and corn brooms being made and can purchase them.
Every year, Tom and Sharon Aaron, dressed in authentic period clothing, are on hand to prepare food over a fire.
Some visitors brought their antique vehicles that were parked on the grounds on display.
In the authentic 1860s furnished log cabin yesterday visitors could tour the building or watch volunteer Jean Butler give a demonstration on "spinning wool on an upright wheel." Her beautiful red wool could be seen at her side. Also in the cabin at various times, board member David Wulderk related the interesting history of the "Bloody Knox Shoot Out" in 1864. A 40-page booklet tells the story of the saga and is available at the Museum in Clearfield for $5.
A re-enactment with more than 100 people involved took place as the closing Bicentennial event on Dec. 11, 2004, 140 years after the actual occurrence. This is a brief outline of what happened in Knox Township, according to Richard Hughes of Clearfield.
"Thomas Adams, a deserter from Co. B, 149th, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed at his home in Knox Township on the 13th day of December 1864. Captain Southward, in command of the detail of 31 men of the 16th V.R.C., came to the house at about midnight on the above date, there being a dance held that night at the Adams home.
"When the house was surrounded, Adams ran upstairs, took a musket from under a bed and fired through a window killing a soldier named Reed. He then threw the musket down, picked up a double barrel shotgun and fired two more shots through the window.
"Adams then dropped the shotgun and picked up the musket, knocked the end out of the house next to the barn, then knocked the other end out, threw down the gun and jumped out at the end he first knocked out.
"When Adams got to the ground, he was halted by the soldiers and when he didn't stop was shot by a soldier named Blair.
"Nineteen deserters and some civilians were captured by the soldiers who took them to Philipsburg along with the 32 revolvers owned by the deserters."
Hughes said the log cabin where the event occurred was built in 1861.
In another building open for touring yesterday on the grounds were period wagons and other equipment.
Both the log cabin and grounds are open to the public free of charge and tours can be scheduled by calling the CCHS Museum at 765-6125.
The museum at 104 East Pine Street in Clearfield is open from the first Sunday in May through the last Sunday in October every Thursday and Sunday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. or call for an appointment.
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